Breaker point operating mechanism



Nov. 28, 1939. 15159085 BREAKER POINT OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 13, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 28, 1939. F. J. SVOBODA 2.l8l,7l3

BREAKERS POINT OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 13, 1938 2 Shuts-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BREAKER POINT OPERATING MECHANISM Fred J. Svoboda, Berwyn, Ill. Application July 13, 1938, .Serial No. 218,953

11 Claims.

This invention relates to breaker point operating mechanism, and particularly to a device of the class described adapted for use in the ignition systems of internal combustion engines.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement wherein the engaging and disengaging -of the contact points is positively and mechanically obv tained by positively moving the contacts into and out of engagement with each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction and arrangement wherein substantially uniform and constant spacing of the points is maintained regardless of the wear on the rubbing parts or Wear-pieces adjacent the cam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure wherein high-speed bounce of the contacts, due to the high speed of the cam, is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement wherein a greater degree of closing of the points is obtained without lessening of the spacing of the points.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure wherein a wiping action between the contacting surfaces of the points is obtained, thereby eliminating burning and pitting of the surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction and arrangement wherein the points are protected against flying particles of oil thrown by the rotation of the cam.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure, which will be simple to install Without the aid of any special equipment.

A still further object of the invention is to improve devices of the character described in sundry details hereinafter referred to and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Several embodiments of the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes in the accom-- panying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational 'ew, partly in section, illustrating the application of my improved breaker point operating mechanism to a conventional or well known type of ignition system;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken substantially as indicated by the line 2-2 thereof, with the cap member removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially as indicated by the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the breaker point construction and operating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2, and showing portions of the structure in changed position;

Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating a slightly modified form of the structure illustrated in Figs. 5:

l to 4, inclusive; and

Fig. 6 is a further modified structure illustrating the manner of mounting the contact supporting members on a single pivot or center of rotation. I

As illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is shown aS applied to an ignition system of conventional and well known type including a distributor head indicated, as a whole, by the numeral 1 and comprising a base 8 having a rotatable shaft 5 mounted therein and operatively connected to .a suitable moving part of an internal combustion engine, and having an operating cam indicated, as a whole, by the numeral I i, mounted adjacent its upper end portion, said cam being provided with a plurality of lobes l2 shown, in the present instance, as eight in number, for controlling the operation of make and break contacts of the ignition system. The extreme upper end portion of the shaft 9 is provided with a distributor arm 13 having a distributor segment M mounted thereon and operatively related to a center contact 15 and brushes i6 mounted in a cappil adapted to be suitably mounted in relative fixed position on the base 7, the brushes It being operatively connected by circuit connectors l8, to the spark plugs of the engine (not shown), and the center contact l5 being connected by a conductor I9 to a coil 2!, condenser 22, and battery 23, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, as is common practice in conventional or well known types of ignition systems.

Rotatably mounted in the base I and around the center of rotation of the shaft 9 is a plate 23 having an ear 24 formed thereon, to which a rod 25 may be connected for shifting the plate annularly to advance or retard the spark, as desired.

More particularly, the present invention, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4., inclusive, comprises inner and outer contact supporting members or arms indicated as a whole, and respectively, by the numerals 26 and 27, mounted, preferably, on spaced pivots 28 and 28, respectively, the member 26 adjacent its end portion 31 having a contact 32 mounted thereon, and the member 27! adjacent its end portion 33 being provided with a contact 34 suitably connected through a resilient or yieldable conductor strap indicated, as a whole, by the numeral 35, and shown, in the present instance,

as extending along the outer side of the member 27 and folded back upon itself, as indicated at 36, and thence extending to a binding post 31 operatively connected by means of a conductor 38 to the coil 25 and condenser 22 of the ignition system.

In the present structure, the member 27 may be formed, as indicated in the drawings, of fiber or other suitable insulating material, and the contact 32 on the end portion 35 of the arm 25: may be grounded through the member 25 or a conductor and the pivot mounting 28.

t will be noted by reference, particularly, to Figs. 2 and 4 that the end portion SE of the inner member 26 is adapted to engage and ride upon the cam ii, and that the end portion 33 of the outer member 2'! is provided with an extension or finger ll also adapted to be engaged by the cam l l for determining the relative positions of the contacts 32 and 3d, the end portions 3i and E3 of the members 26 and 2?, respectively, being urged toward the cam ill by a spring 42 shown, in the present instance, as mounted on the opposite end portion d3 of the inner member 26 and looped or folded upon itself as indicated at 43 in a manner to engage the end portion 44 of the outer member 23?, the spring being provided with a wear-piece d5 preferably so arranged as to engage a lobe of the cam i i when the end portion 3i of the arm 26 is in engagement with a low side of the cam, the wear-piece 45 being at all times adapted to engage and ride upon the surface of the cam M.

It will be noted also that by such an arrangement, the end portions 3! and of the members 2e and 2], respectively, are urged toward and into engagement with the cam M, and that by reason of the arrangement of the spring 32, the contacts 32 and 3d are yieldingly urged toward each other, but their relative positions are determined by the position of the cam H and lobes l2 thereon with respect to the end portion 3i of the arm 26, and with respect to the finger ii of the arm 33.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that as the cam H is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, the lobes I201 the cam act upon the finger 4i of the arm 27 to move the contact 34 outwardly and away from the contact 52 on the member 26, and that the contact 32 is moved inwardly by the spring 42 when the end portion 30 of the arm 26 is in engagement with one of the lower sides of the cam, thereby causing a complete separation of the contacts 32 and 34, while, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the continued rotation of the cam ii in the direction indicated by the arrow will bring the lobes A2 of the cam into engagement with the end portion 33 of the arm 2&3, and move the contact 32 outwardly into engagement with the contact 34, which is permitted to move toward the cam by reason of a low side thereof having been moved to adjacent the end portion of the finger 4|, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, the spring 42 and wear-piece 45 engaging the cam acting to yieldingly urge the contact 34 into engagement with the contact 32.

It will be noted also that by reason of the spaced, separate pivotal mountings of the inner and outer members 26 and 27, upon engagement of the contacts 32 and 34, a rubbing or wiping action between the contacting surfaces of the contacts is obtained, thereby eliminating burning and pitting of the surfaces.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 5-is substantially like that above described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, except that the finger lla of the outer member 33a is of slightly diiferent form and spaced further from the end portion 3 la of the inner member 23a, than is shown in the structure of Figs. 1 to 4, and that in Fig. 5, the spring 42a mounted on the end portion 430. of the arm 25a is comparatively short and provided with a wear-piece 35a operatively related to the cam lla. Also that the end portion 440. of the outer member Zla is provided with a separate, independent resilient means or spring 46a having a wearpiece 51a operatively related to the cam I la, preferably, in a manner to engage a low portion thereof when the finger did on the end portion 330. of the member 27a is in engagement with a lobe of the cam, the Wear-pieces iiia and lla being, at all times, adapted to engage and ride upon the cam Ha, while the springs 42a and 46a. in conjunction with the wear-pieces 35a and 47a, respectively, in engagement with the cam i la, serve to urge the end portions 31a and 33a of the arms Na and 21a, respectively, toward the cam. In other respects, the structures described are substantiallyalike and function in a substantially like manner.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 6 is substantially like that described with reference to the structure in Fig. 5, except that the inner member.

2% and the outer member 27529 are mounted on a pivot or center of rotation indicated at 481) common to both said members, and as a result of such mounting, of the arms, the wiping or rubbing action between the engaging surfaces of the contacts 32b and 34b is not obtained, but in other respects, the structure and operation of the device is substantially as above described.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a novel construction and arrangement wherein the ignicn circuit is closed by reason of the contacts being moved positively and mechanically into en gagement with each other, and that the present, invention provides a structure wherein the spacing of the points is maintained susbtantially uniform and constant regardless of the wear on the rubbing parts or wear-pieces due to the rotation of the cam.

It will be observed also that in the present structure, high-speed bounce of the contacts is eliminated, and that a greater degree of rotation of the cam for closing of the points is obtained without lessening the spacing thereof. It will be noted also that by reason of the arrangement shown and described, the points are protected against flying particles of oil thrown by the rotation of the cam, and that by reason of the sim plicity of the structure, the device may be easily and readily installed without the aid of any spe cial equipment.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described, as the same may be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, supporting members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of said members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, a cam operatively related to said'end portions of the members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means adjacent the opposite end portions of said members for urging the first mentioned end portions thereof toward said cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with one of said members for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on the other of said members, said lobes being engageable also with said first mentioned end portion of said other member for moving said other contact away from and out of engagement with the contact on the said one of the supporting members.

2. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of said members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, a cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means adjacent the opposite end portions of said members for urging the first mentioned end portions thereof toward said cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with said first mentioned end portion of said outer member for moving said other contact thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner supporting member.

3. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of said members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, a cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means adjacent the opposite end portions of said members for urging the first mentioned end portions thereof toward each other and operatively related to said cam for urging said first mentioned end portions of the members toward said cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with said first mentioned end portion of said outer member for moving said other contact thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner supporting member.

4. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of said members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, said members being pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on spaced axes of rotation, a rotatable cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means adjacent the opposite end portions of said members for urging the first mentioned end portions thereof toward said cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with said first mentioned end portion of said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner member.

5. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of the respective members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, said members being pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on spaced axes of rotation, a rotatable cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means adjacent the respective opposite end portions of said members for urging the first mentioned end portions thereof toward each other and operatively related to said cam for urging said first mentioned end portions of the members toward said cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with said first mentioned end portion of said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out of engagement With the contact on said inner member.

6. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of the respective members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, said members being pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on spaced axes of rotation, a rotatable cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means mounted on the opposite end portion of one of said members and having a portion cooperable with the adjacent end portion of the other of said members for urging the first mentioned end portion of the members and contacts mounted thereon toward each other, said resilient means having a wear-piece thereon engaging said cam for urging said first mentioned end portions of the members toward the cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner member.

'7. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members for 7 supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of the .to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means mounted on the opposite end portion of said inner member and having a free end portion co-operable with the adjacent end portion of said outer member for urging the first mentioned end portions of the members and contacts mounted thereon toward each other, said resilient means having a wear-piece thereon intermediate its ends engaging said cam for urging said first mentioned end portions of the members toward the cam and into engagement therewith for determining the positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with a portion of said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out or engagement with the contact on said inner member.

8. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of said members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, a cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient spring means mounted on the respective opposite end portions of said inner and outer members, a wear-piece mounted on each of said springs engaging said cam and cooperable with the springs for yieldingly urging said first mentioned end portions of the members toward the cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with a portion of said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner member.

9. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of the respective members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, said members being pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on spaced axes of rotation, a rotatable cam operatively related to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means mounted on the respective .ppposite end portions of said inner and outer members, a wear-piece mounted on each of said engines, the combination of a pair springs engaging said cam and cooperable with the springs for yieldingly urging said first men tioned end portions of the members toward the cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of-said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with a portion of said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner member.

10. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, the combination of a pair of electrical contacts, inner and outer supporting members for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of the respective members and adjacent one end thereof, said members being pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on an axis of rotation common to both members, a rotatable cam operativelyrelated to said end portions of the respective members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient spring means mounted on the respective opposite end portions of said inner and outer members, a wear-piece mounted on each of said springs engaging said cam and cooperable with the springs for yieldingly urging said first mentioned end portions of the members toward the cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with said inner member for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on said outer member, said lobes being engageable also with a portion of said outer member for moving said other contact mounted thereon away from and out of engagement with the contact on said inner member.

11. In a circuit breaker operating mechanism for the ignition systems of internal combustion of electrical contacts, pivotally mounted supporting members for supporting said contacts on adjacent sides of said members and adjacent one of the end portions thereof, a cam operatively related to said end portions of the members for determining the relative positions of said contacts, resilient means mounted on the opposite end portions of one of said members and operatively related to a portion of the other member for urging the first mentioned end portions of said members toward said cam and into engagement therewith for determining the relative positions of said contacts, said cam having a plurality of lobes engageable with one of said members for moving the contact thereon into engagement with the other of said contacts on the other of said members, said lobes being engageable also with said first mentioned end portion of said other member for moving said other contact away from and out of engagement with the contact on the said one of the supporting members.

FRED J. SVOBODA. 

